Erlendr

Erlendr, The Beginning of Sorrows

Bart Tilton

This book is dedicated to those left behind. Those who find the courage to follow our Lord and Messiah Jesus Christ during the seven years of Jacobs Troubles...

The Beginning of Sorrows

Dear Maddy; I hope this letter finds you safe from from the pandemic. I fear this one is real, and people aredying. It hasn’t spread here yet. If I can, I’ll join you and the others soon. You said you were gathering our stories for your book, so here’s mine.

It was the day after the disappearances. And I was watching the news hoping to find out what everyone was wondering. Where did they go? It couldn’t be her explanation, because if she is right, well, it is going to get a lot worse.

Just yesterday I was walking with my friend Anna when we heard a loud noise, a low deep sound. We looked up in the sky to see where it was coming from. Suddenly she was gone. Her clothing fell in a heap next to me.

In a panic, I looked around trying to understand what had just happened. I soon realized that it was not just her, but people from all over.

Suddenly it came rushing to my memory like an omen. Anna had warned me about the rapture, she said that it is explained in the Bible.

At that time, I didn’t believe her, though I would pretend to listen and act interested. But come on. God is going to take his people out of the world.

I stood for a while staring at her clothes. When I looked around, I could see other people as troubled as I felt. I saw a car moving down the road without a driver. It coasted into the side of a building.

I ran to Anna’s house. I rang the doorbell, but no one answered. After knocking a couple of times, I tried the door. It opened so I let myself in.

As I looked around, I found her mother’s clothes weirdly slumped in her chair. She had vanished, just like Anna. I left and hurried home.

As soon as I got home, I turned on the news. The reporter was telling us about traffic accidents all over the world. There were numerous traffic jams that stretched for miles. Drivers just vanished from cars buses, and semi’s. There were airplanes with missing passengers and worse, pilots.

So people were missing everywhere. People doing everyday things vanished without a trace, leaving piles of clothing and shattered lives behind.

I called my mama, and she answered on the third ring. I was happy to hear her voice. At least I’m not alone. I visited with my mama for several hours. Finally, after ending the call, I went to bed.

I woke up early in the morning. I decided to go to Anna’s house again, I needed answers. So, I called first, but the phone rang over and over. No one answered.

As I headed out the door, the cool September air felt good for some reason. When I got to her house everything looked normal. The porch light was off, I wonder if it had been off all night. I knocked, and again there was no answer, so I let myself in.

I don’t know why, but I snooped around the house a little. I found a bible on the living room table. I sat down and tried to find where it said everyone would disappear.

I sat, reading for a while. It was hard to follow, and I had no idea where to look. Finally, I decided that I would have to read the whole book if I was ever going to understand it.

I left their house, but I took the Bible with me. For the next few days, when I could, I read through chapter after chapter.

When I went to work everyone was in a subdued mood. People were scared. Everyone had lost loved ones and friends. Parents had lost their young children. Even pregnant women’s babies vanished.

At work, someone had the radio tuned to a news station. The reporter announced that our currency was in trouble. In his report, it became clear that our government had sold out to the United Nations, World Health Organization, and the World Economic Forum. We are no longer a free nation. They own our currency.

The reporter said that the President is heading to Europe to meet with the leaders of the World Economic Forum. Meanwhile, he warned that our paychecks will be stretched too thin to buy anything extra.

So, as I said before, people are afraid. And we just found out that our boss is one of those who are missing.

Our boss was a good man. He treated everyone fairly. He was always upbeat and cheerful. He was the best boss I ever had, now he’s gone.

As the day went by things seemed to go on as normal. It was as though no one knew how to do anything else. We just worked our routine.

After work, I studied more in the Bible, but I hadn’t learned what I need. I remembered the prayer that Anna led me through. I prayed it again, but this time I did pray to God.

After praying I was reminded of a video that Anna and I watched on YouTube.

I tried finding it on the internet, but they seem to have taken down all of the Christian sites. When I search the internet for the rapture, all the searches were links to websites explaining it as disinformation. Even the YouTube videos are gone. I had watched a few of the videos with Anna just the other day, the ones she insisted that I watch.

There were a few videos, but they were critical of Christians. But the Christian videos were missing. There were many videos from the Catholic church. None were helpful, none had scriptures from the Bible that I could turn to.

In the morning as I was getting ready for work, I had the news on. The Pope was making a speech from the Temple Mount, addressing the world about the rapture.

He said that the rapture that the protestants talked about was a lie. He said that the disappearances were from God, a judgment on protestants who rejected the god of the Catholics and Muslims. He said, God has brought back their wickedness upon them and will destroy them in their evil.

In his speech, he said introduced the Grand Imam, and the Chief Rabbi. Then he introduced the Secretary-General as Messiah. The Secretary-General began speaking. In his speech, he announced the building of the temple.

During their announcement, he explained that it would be a temple for all people. It would be built with outer courts, the outer court for Catholics, the inner court for Islam, and the inner sanctum for Jews.

As I walked toward work, I passed Anna’s house. I stopped for a moment and then decided to go in and search their books for answers. As I hurried in I searched the bookshelf for anything that might help me learn about rapture.

I found a book by Dr. David Jeremiah called “After the Rapture: An End Times Guide to Survival.” I decided to read it. I snooped around a little more. I slowly opened Anna’s bedroom door and looked around.

I found her bible on her nightstand. I opened it and looked through the pages she had marked. She had written a note next to 2 Corinthians, 6:14. The note said: “Pray for Andrew.”

I placed her bible back on the nightstand, then I left the house. On my way out I took the key hanging by the door. I locked the door on my way out.

When I got to work, I started my day as usual. As an investment fund manager, my day is never exciting, just tedious, but it pays the bills.

It was nearly lunchtime when the office manager asked us to join him in the conference room.

I took my place at the table and our manager, sitting in his favorite spot asked, “Did you lose anyone close?” I just nodded my head. My mother had given me a list of friends and family members who had vanished.

He started the meeting explaining that many of our inverters were among those who had vanished. He asked us to call each of our clients to verify that they were still among the living.

I spent the rest of the day making phone calls to my clients. By quitting time, I had a list of people who may have been taken. I still wanted to verify my list before taking any more action.

I hurried home so I could read the book I had taken from Anna’s house. I sat with a cup of tea and a sandwich then I opened up the book. A letter was tucked into the first page of the book.

The letter read: To however is reading this, my family and I have been taken in the rapture. I hope this book helps you to survive the coming tribulation. I have prepared several backpacks with supplies. Please take only what you need. Share the rest with others who are in need.

I began reading the chapter titled “What just happened.” I read the verses that were quoted in the book. The chapters “What Next” and “How Bad Will It Get” were helpful but scary.

After reading the book I understood. I am in trouble, and help isn’t coming. I better get as prepared as I can, and fast.

In the next few days, things began to move fast. The Secretary-General seemed to be taking control of the EU and the United Nations. This was made obvious after the war in the middle east.

Russia and its alleys attacked Israel. They launched a full invasion. They made it to Jerusalem.

Our military was on standby to go to Israel’s defense, but the president never gave the order. Israel won the battle on its own, somehow.

Over half of the citizens were killed in the invasion. But, many more Russian and Iranian soldiers were killed. Israel is still cleaning up the battlefield, burying the dead in a valley that the Prim minister of Israel gave Russia to bury their dead.

In a few short days, Israel destroyed the Russian and Iranian army. Damascus is flattened, the entire city is destroyed.

The whole world watched in amazement, Israel has expanded it border to include the land that used to be Lebanon and Damascus.

On the news, the Secretary-General is taking credit for the protection of Israel. He has presented his peace plan for Israel and the Middle East. Everyone seems to be hypnotised by him, including Israels leaders. It is just too much. I shut the television off.

I headed over to Anna’s house to find the supplies that were mentioned in the note. Walked slowly, enjoying the cool September weather. It suddenly occurred to me that the streets were clear of traffic, it was sort of eerie.

I hurried into Anna’s house and out to the garage. On a shelf sat a row of backpacks, just like the letter said. Each had an inventory

pinned to it. I pulled one of them off of the shelf and stood it so I could look through it.

I searched through and found all of the things written on the list. As I looked through it I wondered if things could get as bad as the book said.

I left the house and headed home. I was going over the things in my head, things I had recently learned. In the book, it mentions that it is going to get bad for Christians. I need to find others like me. Other Christians.

I went to Anna’s church to see if anyone was there. The church looked deserted, but I decided to try the door anyway. As I walked through the door, I stood in the lobby and peeked in.

Scattered throughout the church were people. Some were quietly visiting, and others were standing with their heads bowed. At first, no one noticed me, so I just stood, watching.

Everyone looked as troubled as I felt. I walked into the sanctuary, and it seemed that everyone noticed me at once.

As one man walked toward me with his hand reaching out for a shake, the rest followed.

I shook his hand as he and the rest of the people welcomed me. I didn’t know any of them well, but I met some of them through Anna.

The man who first approached me is named John. He had been an elder in the church. I told him, “We where left behind. That was the rapture, Anna was taken.”

He smiled and said, “We know, that’s why we’re here. My family was taken.” I said, “I have a book that explains everything. I found it at Anna’s house.

John smiled and said, I have a copy at my home. My wife insisted that we have a copy of that book so that anyone wondering where we went would know.

I said, “But you’re here.” He looked a little sheepish and said, “I know. I didn’t believe it, but now... Now it seems that It is my job to keep the church going.”

As we were visiting, others joined in our conversation. Most of them were like John, they went to church but didn’t take it seriously. I told them about what I had learned, and what I understand will soon happen.

We all agreed to meet up again. John let us know that he would be here every day. He said that since he retired it allowed him to keep the doors open.

We visited for the rest of the day. I enjoyed the company of people and we agreed to find out what we were facing.

The girl named Shay had been friends with Anna. She and I visited for a while. She made me promise to stay in touch. I invited her for dinner one evening. She smiled and said, “If you are a horrible cook, I’m leaving right away.”

In all, there were twenty people at the church. Some were like me and wanted to learn more about what the Bible says about the Rapture. So, we agreed to meet again tomorrow evening.

It was late in the night when we left the church. I walked home with the cold fall air bringing a chill to my face. I took my time and enjoyed the walk. The sky was clear, and the moonlight lit up the dark places that the streetlights couldn’t.

The next morning, I called my mama and told her what I had learned. As I was explaining it to her, she interrupted and said, “Look, I don’t need some fantasy story to explain where everyone went. If you listened to the news, you would know that they have already told us why those people disappeared.”

I tried to say more, but she wouldn’t listen. She said that it was that girl that I was dating who had brainwashed me. I told her that I had to go, I didn’t want to be late for work.

As I walked into the office and sat at my desk, I could hear the radio playing. The news was reporting that Israeli preachers were holding revivals across Europe and the US. As I was listening, my phone rang so I didn’t get to hear the complete report.

After I finished my phone call I went on about my business. I was checking my email when I saw a message from the Corporate Headquarters. I opened the email, and I couldn’t believe what I was reading.

The message explained that the US dollar and the wealth of the nation had been transformed to align with the global currency. The Federal Reserve was now under the control of Global Governance.

As I read it, I couldn’t believe what it said. Everything is happening so fast, just like the book said it would. The Secretary-General, who I call Antichrist, is now in charge of the European Union and the United Nations. The US and Britain have sworn their country’s allegiance to him.

The reporter on the radio was talking about the construction of the Jewish Temple. Many Jewish people are claiming that the Secretary-General is Messiah.

However, many of the younger Jews are rejecting him, and are preaching about Jesus on the streets of Israel.

The news reporter was saying that there are young Jewish men who are very outspoken. They are speaking out against the Secretary-General. They are each great speakers and are gaining a following of journalists. You can’t turn on the news without seeing them.

The day went on as usual. I was still contacting clients to find out if they were still with us.

I was also calling clients to let them know that their accounts were converted to the new dollar. Most of the banks had already quietly switched to the USDC through FEDNOW before the rapture.

I started my day as usual. I woke up early and did my morning routine. I walked to work. When I arrived, I headed to my desk. It seemed odd, no one even said hello. I assumed that everyone was too busy for the normal morning visit.

I was at my desk working when my supervisor called me into his office. He was standing by his office door, holding the doorknob in his hand.

I slipped past him into his office and stood near his desk. He shut the door, and then asked, “Have you been visiting that church near here?” I answered, “Yes, why?” He said, “Dude, you can’t be doing that. Corporate doesn’t allow it.”

I stood for a moment not knowing what to say. Finally I said, “Corporate, it isn’t any business of theirs or anyone else for that matter, what I do with my time off.”

He had a smug look on his face, and he said, “I told them that is what you would say. You are no longer needed at this agency.” I asked, “So you are firing me for visiting a church?”

I turned to walk out, then he said, “Your little church will soon be closed, and I reported your group to the authorities.”

I stopped and turned to face him. I asked, “Reported for what?” He answered, “FBOs are a threat to national security.” I asked, “What are FBOs?” He answered, “Faith-based organizations.”

I frowned and said, “We aren’t an organization. It’s just a group of people who got together because we have lost loved ones. Are you judging us for meeting at a church? Who gave you that right or authority?”

With a malevolent smile, he said, “I am your supervisor, that gives me the right.” I answered, “Here. Here in this place you are my supervisor, not out there. Outside of this office what I do is none of your business.” “Get out.” he hissed.

I walked out of the office to my desk. I started cleaning out my things when I noticed the others in the office were staring at me. I smiled at them and said, “He fired me for going to church.” Everyone began acting busy. No one said anything to me. I took my things and left.

I went to the church to warn John. He assured me that he would be fine. He told me not to worry about empty threats.

The collapse of the world seemed to follow my being fired. It seemed every day there was a new shortage. The grocery store shelves were empty.

I was walking past Anna’s house and I noticed a U-Haul parked in the driveway. I decided to stop and find out who was there.

As I walked up, I saw that the door was open, so I peeked in and knocked. There were several women taping boxes while the men were loading them in the truck.

I introduced myself and found out that they were Anna’s relatives. Her aunt Janet, her husband Bob, and their daughter Kelly. They were taking almost everything to Good Will and planned to sell the house. I decided to stay and help them load the truck, so I joined in packing boxes.

Kelly said, “Isn’t it sad? The Pope said they were struck down by God.” I answered, “The Pope is wrong.” I began explaining what I had learned about the Rapture, and then I explained the tribulation. We kept working while I explained everything. They asked questions and listened.

When we were finished, they had more questions. I spent over an hour talking with them.

While we were talking, a police officer came by. He spoke with Anna’s uncle Bob while We watched them through the living room window. After a few minutes, he came in and told us about the conversation.

It seems that the US Government is confiscating all assets of those who disappeared. The officer told him that he had to get permission from the City Clerk before they could remove anything from the property.

When we were finished, they thanked me for my help and gave me all the groceries that were in the house.

They drove me home and helped me with the boxes of groceries. While we were hauling them into my house, I gave Anna’s aunt the book I had taken from the house. She smiled and handed it back to me, and said, They gave us a copy, we just never read it.

After they left flopped down across my bed. I was tired after hauling all the furniture and boxes. I must have fallen asleep.

Suddenly my bed was bouncing and shaking like it was possessed. I sat up, then jumped out of bed. When I flipped on the light switch nothing happened. The electricity must be out.

The house was still shaking so I stood in the doorway until it quit. I realised that it was an earthquake, and I thought it must have been a big one. When everything seemed to settle down, I hurried out to the front sidewalk.

As I was standing, looking around, other people came out of their houses. I asked them if they were all right. No one seemed to be seriously hurt.

As we were checking on one another, we heard a firetruck siren off in the distance. We saw a faint glow coming from the east side of town, it slowly grew brighter. As we watched we could faintly see smoke billowing from the flames.

I suddenly thought about my mama, what if she was hurt? I rushed into my house and found my phone. As I was waiting for my mama to answer I found my flashlight and began inspecting my house for damage from the quake. She finally answered. “mama, are you ok?” I asked.

She said, “We had an earthquake. Can you believe it, an earthquake in Western Mid-ridge.” I know mama, it hit here too. She said, “I’m going to pack up a few things, I’ll be right over. I want someone to inspect my house before I go back to it.

I visited with her until I was sure she was calmed down. Before we the end of the phone call I agreed to her staying with me for a few days.

It was early morning, the sun was peaking over the horizon. The fire department seemed to have the fire under control.

The power came back on a few minutes after my mother arrived. I helped her get settled in and then I fixed her breakfast.

As we sat down to eat, I told her about being fired from my job. She looked a little shocked, then asked why. I told her about going to the church.

I explained that we were left here because we were nonbelievers. I told her that the Secretary-General is the Anti-Christ.

mama sat and listened to the things I was telling her. I couldn’t tell what she was thinking, but she didn’t interrupt.

When I was finished, she took a sip of coffee, then said, “Well, I guess we won’t have too long before we find out if you are right.”

I turned on the news, and it was talking about the earthquake. Mid-Ridge sits nearly one hundred miles from the epicentre of the quake. Millions of people lost their homes. They are estimating thousands of people lost their lives.

This was the beginning of a swarm of earthquakes across the earth. It seems that every day there are reports of quakes or tsunamis hitting somewhere in the world, but more on that later.

I decided to check on the church and make sure it wasn’t damaged. I hugged my mama and headed out the door.

This time I took my bicycle. As I was riding down the street I could see some damage that was caused by the quake.

When I arrived at the church I found that it was locked. There was an orange sticker on the door that said, DO NOT ENTER. UNSAFE TO OCCUPY.

I knew right away that it was my supervisor and the City Manager who had done this.

I called Anarah right away. She answered, “Hay, what’s up?” I told her about the sign on the church.

She told me that John had been arrested because he refused to close the church. The sheriff arrested him and no one has been allowed to talk to him since.

She said that the others were meeting down by the river in the Sand Plumb meadow.

I hurried to catch up with them, not knowing what to expect. It would take me a while by bicycle, but it allowed me to see the damage done by the quake.

The fire that I saw during the night burned the old mall to the ground. It was a sad sight. It felt like our town had lost a landmark.

As I rode along the river road I could see the meadow in the distance. There were several people gathered in a group.

When I pulled up and said hello, one of the men walked over and said, “You must have heard.”

I told him about my conversation with Anarah. He looked surprised. He said, “As far as we know, no one has talked to her. We were surprised to see you here. This was supposed to be a secret meeting.

We don’t know who we can trust. And we don’t know you very well so we didn’t invite you.”

I was starting to leave when he said, “Hold on. Since you’re here you might as well visit for a while.”

I dropped my bike and walked over to the group. They welcomed me and were friendly enough.

They began questioning me, first about my faith, then about what I knew about the church and John’s arrest.

I told them about all that had happened the last few days. I told about loosing my job, and the threat that my supervisor made. I told them about the government taking Anna’s home. I apologised for not warning everyone about the threat. I told them that I had spoke with John just after being fired.

Among the people in the group was a woman named Sarah, an elderly woman who had also been left behind. She had been the church’s secretary for years.

“Andrew,” Sarah said in her gentle, soothing voice, “I know this is hard to understand, but perhaps there’s a reason we are here.”

I looked at her, my mind filled with doubt and confusion. “Why you, Sarah? Why did you get left behind?”

Sarah smiled and said, “I was like so many others. I used church as a social gathering. I viewed religon as a tool that kept society on track.”

Then she said, “The Lord works in mysterious ways. Maybe you’re meant to become a beacon of hope for us who are lost. Just a few days now found your faith. And now you are helping us to find ours in this dark time.

You lead us through the Bible, explaining everything that happened. It was listing to you that helped me to see the truth.”

I was surprised by what she said. I never saw myself as a leader. As I looked at the people gathered there. It seemed to me that they were looking to me for answers.

I asked, “So what are our plans going forward? Evidently we no longer have a church. Can we meet in our homes?”

A man I knew as Mr. Davis answered, “That is what we were discussing when you walked up.”

I stayed and visited for a while. I found out that because of the food shortages many of the group were running low on food staples.

I headed home on my bicycle. I road along the back roads as I road to my house.

Along the way I saw some of the damage from the quake. It had caused more damage than I had thought.

When I arrived home my mother was sitting on the couch and watching television. I told her about the church being closed.

When she looked at me I could see the anger on her face. She said, I have been listening to the news, it is clear that the Secretary General is who he says he is. He has done miraculous things. Doesn’t that mean anything to you?

I sat down next to her on the couch and began explaining everything to her. At first she began to object, but I asked her just to hear me out.

I explained everything as I understood it. I showed her how everything was happening just the way the Bible said, in the same order that the bible said.

At first she looked impatient, but slowly she looked more interested. She looked at me with surprise when I showed her that the two witnesses in Jerusalem were in the Bible.

As I explained to her, she finally understood why I believed in God, and not the Secretary General. When I was finished, she wanted to know more. She wanted to read the book ‘After the Rapture’.

I gave my mama the book to read. While she was reading, I fixed us some lunch. I peaked in to see her intently reading, so I took my time preparing or meal.

I had the radio on the news station and I listened while I was busy in the kitchen cooking. The death tole from the earthquakes continued to rise with each aftershock. The estimated death toll is over a million now

The Newsman was saying that Cities like Nashville and Philadelphia are experiencing a major crisis. The damage is so widespread that disaster relief is overwhelmed.

I was dishing up a plate for my mama when she came into the kitchen and sat at the table, still reading the book.

Looking up, she said, “This is quite the book. It seems to explain everything in a neat little package.”

She continued reading while eating her meal. The house was quiet except for the man on the radio warning of the spreading pandemic.

After we had finished our meal I cleared the table and loaded the dishwasher. mama was still reading so I went to the living room and found where I had left off with my studies.

It was getting late and I was thinking about going to bed. Suddenly mama asked, “How much of this book do you believe?” I answered, “All of it.”

She sat looking at me, I think she was considering her response. I

She nodded in agreement, but she had a puzzled look on her face. She seemed to want to ask a question. Finally she said, “So basically we’re screwed.”

I didn’t answer at first, I wanted to giver her the best answer that I had. Finally I said, “From what the Bible and that book says, we are probably going to die before this seven years is over. All we have to do is chose which side we are on.”

She sat quietly and seemed to be considering my answer. Finally she looked at me and asked, “So what’s going to happen next next?”

I said, “I don’t know, we have to survive, or die trying, I guess.” She smiled.

She sat quietly for a moment, and once again I was about to go to bed, when she said, “Ok, I’m ready” I asked, for what. She said, I want to be a Christian. I’m going to do what your book said.

That night my mother prayed and became a Christian. Her and I sat up late talking and looking up scriptures in the bible.

I awoke the next morning and got ready for the day. I called Anna’s aunt. I told her about my mother, that she has became a Christian. I asked her if I could have Anna’s Bible. I told her that I want to give it to my mother.

She was so excited when I told her. She said she would bring it over in the evening.

I fixed a quick breakfast, and just as I sat down to eat, my mother joined me. I told her that I had to go out and find a job.

She said, “Since things are going to get much worse, why don’t you move back home with me?”

I told her that I was wanting to buy this house, I had talked with my land lord and he had agreed to sell it to me. She was quiet for a while, then said, “I could buy it, then you could pay me for it.

I explained to her that I am living off of my savings, and I have to get a job before I can do anything else.

I finished my breakfast, gave my mom a hug, then I headed out. I rode my bicycle downtown. I sat at the bus stop so I could clear my head and plan my job search.

I walked to the bank and asked for an application. The teller told me that I would have to apply on the internet.

I thought to myself that I should have thought of that myself. I guess I was off of my game a little.

I went for a bike ride and found myself back on the road along the river to the Sand Plumb meadow.

I hopped off of my bike and walked to the fire pit and sat. I wanted to share the news of my mother with the other Christians.

I spent my time praying, thanking God for my mother, and for everyone I could think of.

When I finished praying, I looked up to find Shay watching me. I was a little embarrassed. She walked over and sat near me.

Sarcastically she said, “I like the fire.” I answered, “I wasn’t planning on being here long enough to build a fire.”

She asked me if I really believed in God. I answered, yes, of course. She said, I am still wanting proof. I believe, but I want something solid to hold onto.

I asked her, what if I told you that the Secretary-General is going to take over all of Europe, if that happens will you believe me?

She frowned and asked “What are you talking about?” So I said, “He is the Beast of Revelations.

So we talked for a while before we headed back to town. While we were walking back to town she told me that she couldn’t let anyone know that she is talking to Christians, because she could loose her job.

When we got to the highway I left her walking and road my bike home. As I was pulling up to my house I noticed that my mothers car was gone.

I put my bike away and then logged onto the computer. I started applying for jobs. I had to write a cover letter and a resume.

I don’t know how long I had been working at my computer, but the door opened and my mother walked in.

I looked up and saw my mom, she looked pleased with herself. I said “Hi”, and went back to my work.

She sat on the couch and turned on the television. She chose a news channel and began watching.

I listened to the news as I continued working on my job search.

The reporter from Israel was talking about how the Israeli soldiers continue burring the dead, both the enemy combatants and their own soldiers. They set aside land to bury the Russian soldiers.

The reporter finished his his report, another reporter began telling about braking news from the European Union.

The European Union is being dissolved. They are uniting as one, the United States of Europe. The Secretary General has been appointed as the President. He will be in charge while the individual states have ratified a new constitution.

Then the doorbell rang. I hurried over to find Anna’s Aunt, Janet. I invited her in and introduced her to my mom.

They began visiting so I went to the kitchen and brought out drinks and some cookies I had in the cupboard.

I joined them in the living room and they were talking about the book, and what they had learned.

After a while Janet turned to my mother and said, “Andrew asked me to bring Anna’s Bible. I think he wanted you to have it.

Mom looked at me then at the Bible, she took the Bible and hugged it close. She had a tear in her eye. She said, Anna was going to be my daughter-in-law.

That night I turned in early. Mom and Janet were still visiting when I turned in.

The next morning I had just sat down to breakfast when Shay came by. She didn’t ring the door bell, she just came in. She asked, “Where are the bowls?” and then got herself a bowl of cereal.

She sat down and started eating. My mom walked into the kitchen and then stopped. “I said, Mom, Shay, Shay Mom.”

After they introduced themselves we began talking. Shay told me that she was ready to become a Christian.

My mom led her in a prayer. When they were done praying Shay turned to me and said, I want to be baptised in the river. My mom agreed, she too wanted to be baptised.

My mom drove us to the Sand Plumb meadow. When we got there, there were three of the men from the Church. They joined us as witnesses.

I Baptised Shay and then I Baptised my mom. Then I asked one of the men if he could Baptise me.

We sat on the logs around the fire pit afterwards and had a small Bible study and then went back to my house to celebrate.

Not long after we arrived, others from my old Church came by my house. We sat around the kitchen table visiting for at least an hour.

Our conversation turned to Church, and how we were going to continue worshipping without a building.

I mentioned that my house has a full basement. It isn’t finished, but it has plenty of room.

I lead them down to the basement. The room is the size of the house above it. The walls are the concrete foundation of the house. The ceiling is almost eight foot high. It was completely empty because I didn’t own much.

Everyone agreed that this would be perfect. We agreed to meet at least twice a week. We would meet on Sunday and Wednesday.

We decided that it would be best if everyone come on foot, and through the back alley.

We finally have a Church. On Wednesday morning I started my day as usual. I opened my Bible and did my morning reading.

Once again Shay walked in. She got a bowl of cereal and sat down next to me. She asked, “Are you prearranging your sermon? I asked, “My sermon?”

She answered, We don’t have a preacher. They arrested John, and since then we have been falling apart as a group.

I thought to myself, a sermon, I don’t know how to preach. After breakfast I decided I would do an outline like I did when I was in speech class.

I took the book, After the Rapture, and made a lesson for the coming evening. Mom and Shay spent the time preparing refreshments for tonight.

That evening we chose a place for me to stand while I taught. I couldn’t shake the feeling of estrangement.

I stood in my spot and rehearsed in my head. I went over my lesson over and over, until I felt like I was prepared.

By the time I was ready to begin, my basement was full of people. My mom got everyone’s attention and we joined together in prayer.

I did the best that I could, and after I got started it seemed to just come to me. My lesson lasted just over an hour, but it didn’t seem that long.

Afterword we stood around getting to know one another. We visited late into the night. People slowly started leaving until finally the last person left.

I was getting ready to go upstairs when I noticed a coffee can sitting on the floor. I picked it up and saw that it was full of money. I asked mom, What’s this? She answered, that the collection that they took for you.

The following morning I began working on my next sermon. I made another outline while listening to the news.

I spent the next few weeks finding books to read. I needed study material so I could improve my sermons.

We had so many people coming that we ended up meeting three evenings each week. Small groups of us met at the Sand Plum meadow for a baptism.

Because of the neighbourhood, we couldn’t have singing at my house, we had to be as quiet as we could. We blacked out the windows to the basement for extra privacy.

Even with all of this we brought attention to our meetings. It wasn’t long before the police came to visit.

My mother met them at the door. She was visiting with them, but I couldn’t hear everything that was being said. Finally the police left, and my mom came into the kitchen with a smirk on her face.

She said, “The police were accusing us of holding Christian services in our home.” so I asked, “What did you tell them.” She smiled and said, I told them I am a recovering alcoholic, and AA members have to meet somewhere.”

I thought for a moment, then said, “So you lied to them?” She said, “No, I said that that AA members have to meet somewhere.”

Weeks later the congregation had grown too large for my basement. We had decided to divide into smaller groups and meet throughout the week.

It has been a year now since we started, now I have a group meeting every night. Sometimes it just a few people, and other nights my basement is full, we just never know.

I was preparing my lesson one morning and the news reporter was enchanted with the Secretary General. He had met with the leaders of the Middle East, he had secured a Peace with Israel.

When I heard that I thought, how ironic, there are wars going on all over the world. Places I never heard of are at war. Africa, Asia, South America, and Europe, wars everywhere. And he is being touted as a peace maker.

My mom had become the treasurer for our ministry. So, normally I don’t get involved with the money side of this. I was looking for a new pen, so I looked in her room, on her desk. I found our ministry ledger.

I began looking at the amount of income, compared to the cost of our bills. My house payment was missing. I checked for earlier payments all the way back to our ministries beginning. We hadn’t made a single payment on my house.

I hurried out and headed to my land lords house. When he answered the door he looked surprised o see me.

I asked him if how far I was behind on my payments, and he looked confused and answered, “No, I sold the house to your mother a year ago. Didn’t she tell you?” I thanked him, And felt confused.

As I headed back home I began to understand. Mom had taken over the finances so I could study the Bible. I didn’t know weather to be angry or grateful.